Predators pound Jets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- One of the NHL's top home teams played one of its worst road teams with a predictable outcome.
Upping their record to 8-1-1 inside Bridgestone Arena, the Nashville Predators routed the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 on Friday, getting two goals each from Colin Wilson and Ryan Johansen.
Mike Fisher collected three assists for Nashville (10-7-3), while Roman Josi added two helpers. James Neal added his ninth goal in 10 games as the Predators scored their sixth straight home victory.
A three-goal second period wiped out an early Winnipeg lead, giving Nashville a 30-14 advantage over its opponents in the second period this season.
Wilson made it 4-1 at 2:13 of the third period by converting Fisher's third assist at the goalmouth, and Johansen capped the scoring at 8:15 with a one-timer off Filip Forsberg's centering pass from behind the net.
Pekka Rinne (9-5-3) made 22 saves for the Predators, while Connor Hellebuyck (7-8-0) stopped 25 of 30 shots for the Jets.
Winnipeg (9-12-2) fell to 3-8-2 on the road and finished a five-game road trip without a single point, getting outscored 20-6.
Winnipeg initiated the scoring at 14:46 of the first period with a little bit of puck luck. Dustin Byfuglien's wrister from the point struck the stick of Nashville's Colin Wilson and fluttered over Rinne for Byfuglien's second goal.
But Wilson tied it at 5:39 of the second period, converting Mike Fisher's sweet pass into the crease for a tap-in goal, his third of the season. That augured the start of another second period explosion for the Predators.
Nashville took the lead at 6:47 on the power play. Fisher pounced on a bad turnover by Byfuglien and found Ryan Johansen in the left faceoff circle for a one-timer -- Johansen's third goal of the season and second in as many games.
James Neal made it 3-1 at 17:54 with two seconds left in a five-minute major on Brandon Tanev for boarding Colton Sissons. Neal chopped at the puck in the left faceoff circle, and it caromed off the stick of Jets defenseman Mark Stuart and spun by a helpless Hellebuyck for Neal's 10th goal.
NOTES: Winnipeg D Toby Enstrom missed Friday's game to attend to a family matter in his native Sweden. Enstrom played in the team's first 22 games, scoring a goal and adding six assists. ... Nashville D Matt Carle Friday retired from the NHL. Carle had an assist in six games this season, finishing his career with 45 goals and 238 assists in 730 games. ... The Jets scratched C Alexander Burmistrov. ... D Ryan Ellis was a late scratch for the Predators due to injury, with Anthony Bitetto drawing into the lineup.